Sump backfill protector

Abstract

A system including a backfill protector including a skirt having an opening configured to receive a cover therein and a lip extending around a perimeter of the opening. The lip is configured to support the cover thereon, and the skirt further includes an inwardly-extending channel positioned adjacent to the lip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a backfill protector including a skirt having an opening configured to receive a cover therein and a lip extending around a perimeter of the opening, the lip being configured to support the cover thereon, the skirt further including an inwardly-extending channel positioned adjacent to the lip; and 
 a cover including at least one cam lock connector configured, when the cover is positioned in the opening, to engage an underside of the channel and apply a compressive force to the channel to thereby secure the cover in place. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the channel is positioned immediately below the lip when the backfill protector is in an installed position. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the channel is open at its radially outer end to allow backfill positioned adjacent to the skirt to enter the channel. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein the skirt includes a radially outwardly-extending flange positioned adjacent to the channel, wherein the flange is aligned with the lip and extends radially outwardly beyond the channel. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the channel is defined by the lip, a sidewall oriented generally perpendicular to the lip, and a supplemental lip oriented generally parallel to the lip. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  wherein the lip and the supplemental lip are each oriented in a radial plane and has a length in the radial plane, and wherein the lip has a length greater than a length of the supplemental lip. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5  wherein the skirt includes a lower body positioned below the supplemental lip when the backfill protector is in an installed position. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the channel extends around the perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  wherein the lip and the channel each extend around the entire perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  wherein the skirt is annular in shape, and wherein the opening and the cover are each generally circular in top view. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1  wherein the cam lock connector has a ramp of variable thickness extending circumferentially about a periphery thereof. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1  wherein the backfill protector is installed with backfill surrounding the backfill protector, and wherein backfill is positioned in the channel to aid the channel in resisting a compressive force applied thereto. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12  wherein the backfill protector is positioned above and aligned with an underlying sump. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1  wherein the skirt is made of a polymer material or a metal with a thickness of less than about 0.50 inches. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1  wherein the channel has a height less than about 10 times a thickness of a material defining the channel. 
     
     
       16. A system comprising:
 a backfill protector including a skirt defining an inner cavity, the backfill protector having an opening configured to receive a cover therein and further having a channel extending around a perimeter of the opening, the channel being configured to support the cover thereon, wherein the channel is open at its radially outer end to enable the channel to receive material therein, wherein the channel has a height less than about 12% of a height of said backfill protector, and wherein the channel extends into said inner cavity such that a connector can engage said channel and apply a compressive force thereto; and 
 a cover including at least one cam lock connector configured, when the cover is positioned in the opening, to engage an underside of the channel and apply a compressive force to the channel to thereby secure the cover in place. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16  wherein the channel is defined by an upper lip generally aligned in a radial plane, a lower lip generally aligned in a radial plane that is axially spaced away from said upper lip, and a sidewall extending therebetween. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16  further comprising a cover including at least one cam lock connector configured, when the cover is positioned in the opening, to engage an underside of the channel and apply a compressive force to the channel to thereby secure the cover in place. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 16  further comprising a cover including at least one connector that is configured, when the cover is positioned in the opening, to engage the channel and apply a compressive force to the channel to thereby secure the cover in place. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 16  wherein said channel includes a lip and a supplemental lip extending into the inner cavity. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20  wherein the lip and supplemental lip are each arranged in a radial plane, are generally parallel and spaced axially apart, and extend radially inwardly from said skirt. 
     
     
       22. A method for installing a system comprising:
 accessing a sump; 
 positioning a backfill protector above the sump, the backfill protector including a skirt having an opening configured to receive a cover therein and a channel extending around a perimeter of the opening, the channel being configured to support the cover thereon and being open at its radially outer end, and wherein the channel has a height less than about 10 times a thickness of a material defining the channel; 
 positioning backfill material about the backfill protector such that the backfill material at least partially enters the channel; and 
 positioning a cover in said opening, said cover including at least one cam lock connector configured, when the cover is positioned in the opening, to engage an underside of the channel and apply a compressive force to the channel to thereby secure the cover in place; and 
 said cam lock connector applying a compressive force to the channel to thereby secure the cover in place. 
 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 1  wherein the channel has a height less than about 12% of a height of said backfill protector.